U.S. State Department Hiding Report on Number of Palestinian Refugees

"The U.S. government continues to inappropriately keep classified a report on Palestinian refugees that congressional officials view as a potential game changer in how America approaches its regional policies and allocates billions in taxpayer funds, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the report.

Congressional officials familiar with the classified report, the existence of which was first disclosed by the Washington Free Beacon, say the State Department continues to keep it secret in order to not disrupt billions of dollars in allocations to United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the organization responsible for providing aid to what they claim is some 5.2 million Palestinian refugees.

Those familiar with the report say the U.S. quietly determined under the Obama administration that the actual number of Palestinian refugees is far smaller, closer to around 30,000. This disclosure could fundamentally change the way billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars are allocated to UNRWA and the Palestinian government and impact America's longstanding policies regarding the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Lawmakers are pressuring the Trump administration to finally release the report to the public. The Free Beacon first disclosed this effort earlier this month, publishing a letter signed by more than 50 members of Congress who are calling on President Donald Trump to finally release the report, as is mandated by current U.S. laws.

Those familiar with the classified report's contents told the Free Beacon the State Department is intentionally trying to keep the document secret, not for national security reasons, but because of the political implications of its release..."

Date

April 26, 2018

Title

U.S. Government Hiding Report on Number of Palestinian Refugees, The Washington Free Beacon